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Three Winter Poems for Children to Memorize

I am a firm believer in children memorizing poetry. It is not only a gift of language and learning, but also of BEAUTY. And the best thing about memorizing poetry? It is one of the most simple things you can do with children!

As a child, I memorized My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson. This simple poem has remained with me my entire life. Maybe you have a similar poem that stayed with you, too.

Through my children’s homeschool years, I was sure to include poetry memorization in their education. The easiest time to practice anything we were memorizing was Morning Time. Perhaps the favorite poem that stuck with us was Teddy Bear by AA Milne.

Now that my children have graduated, I still enjoy reading poetry. I especially enjoy children’s poetry, probably because of memories of my mother sharing poetry with me as a child and the memories I made sharing poetry with my own children.


As it turns out, I’m in good company with my belief that children should memorize poetry. According to Susan Wise Bauer,

…memorization builds into children’s minds an ability to use complex English syntax and stocks the language store with a whole new set of language patterns.

Beautiful poems are such simple gifts we can give our children! I’d like to suggest three poems that your children can easily memorize - and these can be used with ANY age of child (or adult!).

Three Winter Poems for Children to Memorize

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

“Dust of Snow” was published in the Pulitzer Prize-winning volume of poetry New Hampshire. Frost uses a conventional ABAB rhyme scheme and omits adjectives or adverbs in the poem. This style elucidates the simplicity of the everyday occurrence: a crow taking flight from a tree branch; but, most importantly, Frost shows how such an innocuous action has gravity for the narrator, giving him “a change of mood.” Frost’s uncanny ability to elicit deep-meaning with colloquial and basic language is in full display in this poem.” (source)

I love the ABAB rhyming pattern and the lack of adverbs and adjectives. Kids might enjoy trying to write their own poem in the same manner.

The North Wind Doth Blow by Tasha Tudor (Traditional Mother Goose)

Tasha Tudor’s books have long occupied a place in my heart. I vividly remember this poem from my childhood (see what a gift poetry is?).

The poem is a very simple Mother Goose nursery rhyme which Tasha Tudor included in a 1944 collection. I have included the first “verse”, but there are actually five in case you want to memorize all of them.

Three Winter Poems for Children to Memorize

Snowflakes by Linda A. Copp

This contemporary poem presents such beautiful imagery of snowflakes.

If I were still teaching music in elementary school, I would set out triangles, shakers, sand blocks, and a host of xylophones and metallophones to help children develop an accompaniment for this poem.

Three Winter Poems for Children to Memorize

How to Memorize a Short Poem with Children

We always kept it simple when memorizing poetry:

  1. Display the printed poem (If you memorize many poems during the year, consider hanging them all in one place. You’ll be amazed at how accomplished children will feel, challenging themself to memorize the poems on the wall, fridge, door, etc…! )

  2. Read the poem together several times each day.

  3. Use the poem as copy work. (Maybe you want to make more of a lesson out of the poem, too - but I believe a beautiful poem can stand by itself, so don’t put pressure on yourself to turn it into a big lesson!)

  4. Eventually, your children will begin reciting the poem from memory.

  5. Keep track of the poems you memorize and periodically review them so your children don’t forget them!

Download the Winter Poems PDF printable, which includes all three poems.

I’d love to know if you memorize poetry with your children. Or, maybe you have a favorite poem from childhood. Share it with me in the comments below!

Printable Scripture Ring for Kids

Giving children the gift of scripture is the single most important thing we can do for them. All things that happen to us in life have a scripture to go with them. I find that not only comforting but awe-inspiring.

God - through his infallible Word, the Bible - gave us advice, comfort, and peace for every situation in our lives. Sharing that with our children is a COMMAND. Do you remember how much I love my scripture ring and gifting one to friends? Right now I know a few precious little ones who are facing trying times, and I wanted to gift them a ring of scripture, too.

Printable Scripture Ring for Kids

Why Hiding Scripture in Their Hearts Matters

First, I wanted to share a convicting story with you.

My youngest child graduated from our homeschool last May. Throughout his first 18 years we filled him with scripture. When he was confirmed our church presented him with a beautiful Bible, and in that Bible my husband and I (along with other adults important in his life) highlighted verses. We signed our names by the verses so he knew who they were important to.

During my son’s first week away at college he was doing a devotion and texted me the picture above - his Bible with a verse from Zephaniah I had underlined for him. I whispered a prayer to God, thanking Him for directing my son to that devotional and verse - during a time in his life when he needed it so much.

The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

(Can I tell you how much I LOVED that texted me that picture? I may have been a puddle of tears for the next hour or so. That image of God exulting over us with loud singing is beautiful. )

I also text him a verse that is important to me each day. Scripture keeps us connected and focused on TRUTH. As he is out in “the world” it arms him and protects him. This brings me comfort and peace.

Discipling our children is the most important thing we can do.


Free Printable Scripture Ring for Kids

Please enjoy this printable scripture ring (with bonus corresponding coloring sheets!) I created for you. The complimentary download includes 12 English Standard Version verse cards, corresponding coloring pages, and a few suggestions for using these with your children.

Get out your laminator and binder rings and create this simple but effective tool for your children! Please encourage them to memorize all 12 verses; you will have given them a wonderful gift!

Free Scripture Download for Kids

To download this complimentary set of cards and coloring pages, simply fill out the form below.

I’d also love to know how you embed Scripture in your child’s heart.

Do you memorize verses? Do you use a specific Bible study you love? Maybe you have a routine or tradition you’d like to share.

Leave a comment below and let me know.

Printable Scripture Ring For Kids